Terrible Things (1)

Kasim, having visited Vienna and returned to Buda, welcomed his companion with a bright face.

“You’ve had quite a journey, Grand Vizier.”

The elderly Şemsi Pasha, his back straight and leaning on his staff, smiled benevolently.

“What hardship? I’m quite pleased to be traveling after so long. I struggled to shake off all the other officials in the capital who were begging me to take them along.”

“The capital seems unchanged.”

“The more the person above struggles, the more comfortable the subjects are, that’s the Padishah’s belief. Since the Padishah is also enduring hardships, those below have no choice but to follow diligently.”

Despite the officials filtering out trivial matters as much as possible, Yusuf had plenty of final decisions to make.

As the empire expanded, the number of issues multiplied, so officials couldn’t just complain freely.

Still, while the number of officials kept increasing, Yusuf’s body remained only one.

“Seeing that, it wouldn’t be surprising if your father mentioned abdicating.”

“I would prefer if he stopped holding back an old man who is soon to meet Allah.”

Şemsi, one of the few who could speak such words while in the presence of the dignified Padishah, glanced around.

When Hungary fell, only a handful of Jews remained in Buda, but before long, quite a number of people had gathered there.

Though they confirmed it through documents, the change that occurred in less than a decade was remarkable.

“It certainly gives off the appearance of a major city. It must have been a lot of work.”

“Hahaha, geographically, it’s quite a decent spot, isn’t it? Thanks to the frequent visits from merchants.”

To the northwest of Buda is the capital of Austria, Vienna, and to the north is the capital of Poland, Kraków.

As valuable goods from the East travel through, the city is rapidly thriving.

“We shouldn’t leave such an important visitor standing outside. Let’s go inside to talk.”

The forthcoming conversation was inappropriate to have outside, and Kasim led Şemsi into the office.

Once they were alone in the office, Kasim served coffee, prompting Şemsi to open the conversation.

“What happened with the Duke?”

“We’re halfway through. Since my father sent the Grand Vizier, it should go smoothly.”

The Grand Vizier, who had been with Yusuf since his prince days, was clearly the second-in-command of the empire and rarely left the capital.

Past Grand Viziers had participated in wars on behalf of the Padishah when conflicts arose, but while Yusuf sent his prince, he did not send the Grand Vizier.

The mere fact that Şemsi, who was cherished so dearly, had traveled from the capital to Buda was powerful enough and served as ample fuel for imagination.

Hearing this, Şemsi let out a small laugh.

“Do you know? Your four princes are gradually resembling the Padishah.”

“In what way?”

“Prince Mehmet is thoroughly focused on the empire’s benefit. If it leads to the empire’s gain, he isn’t afraid of sacrifice.”

He is so calculating that he could gamble with his son’s life.

“Prince Murad is similar for his thoughts on the subjects. He believes that the reasoning behind seeking the empire’s benefit is fundamentally for the subjects.”

The welfare of the dynasty and the subjects.

If asked to choose one, naturally, he would choose the latter.

“Moreover, Prince Mustafa and the Padishah are alike in their relentless pursuit for what they want. Just look at how they pushed through the canal that many regarded negatively.”

“Then what do I resemble?”

At Kasim’s curious question, Şemsi leisurely savored his coffee.

After enjoying the aroma, he set down his cup and offered an answer.

“You both resemble mischievousness. Speak honestly. Isn’t it truly delightful to cheat those from the West?”

Do you find joy in making the Duke Ferdinand and the Westerners suffer?

“That’s an obvious statement. It’s immensely enjoyable. Though I may not become the Padishah, I’m quite satisfied.”

Not being able to become the Padishah as a prince means his worth is questioned, but Kasim said it nonchalantly.

From the moment he was tasked with milking the West, the position of Padishah had grown distant.

If he were to truly become the Padishah, he’d have to allow interference in the empire.

“Have you been disappointed?”

“I knew this would happen since I was young. I’m just grateful for the lifeline my father provided.”

Even if Kasim never became Padishah, there was no reason for him to fall out with Ferdinand and the West.

He had already invested a considerable amount of money to establish friendly relations, so it was better to utilize that than be treated coldly because he didn’t become Padishah.

Moreover, this meant that Kasim’s value would rise within the Ottoman Empire—a lifeline worth mentioning.

“The Padishah has given Prince Mehmet a task. To improve the quality of iron and glass and to capture Moscow. The expedition for capturing Moscow may take at least five years.”

“That sounds appropriate.”

Before capturing Moscow, this meant focusing on enhancing the quality of iron and glass, which might seem like wasting time superficially.

It was certain they would actively pour support into Kasim.

“By that time, the bridge construction will be well underway, so they won’t be able to back out.”

The investment in the bridge construction would have fully sunk costs, and out of regret for the invested money, they wouldn’t be able to pull back.

Like an addict who couldn’t let go of the money lost in a gambling house, they would have no choice but to keep pouring money in.

“The Padishah said this: In a large-scale construction like the bridge, it is only natural for there to be corruption.”

“During construction, costs tend to snowball unexpectedly. I will manage the pace properly.”

“Indeed, you resemble the Padishah splendidly.”

Kasim and Şemsi burst into laughter.

*

Murad strode forward confidently.

“Is it my turn this time?”

“Your Highness.”

At the call from a Janissary, Murad seemed to have momentarily forgotten and handed his sword over to the Janissary.

Taken aback by the unexpected weight, the Janissary almost dropped the sword, quickly clutching it.

“I need to exercise more! Why does this feel so heavy?”

As a hand that was as large as a pot lid patted his back, the Janissary’s body shook.

Through that moment, it became clear that it wasn’t just a tall tale that Murad had won against the Janissaries since his minor years.

Having entrusted his sword, Murad entered the audience chamber and declared loudly.

“It’s been a while, Your Padishah!”

His booming voice echoed through the audience chamber, causing Yusuf to frown slightly.

“Your ears haven’t failed you. Soon you’ll capture people with mere voice.”

“It would be nice if that were possible.”

“Your nearest allies would likely die first.”

“Then there’s no need.”

After lightly exchanging jokes, Yusuf asked Murad.

“You know why you’re here, right?”

“This concerns the issue of abdication, doesn’t it? Only about eight years remain. The nuisances around me have increased.”

As Murad came from Africa to the capital, it marked the year 1535, and there were only eight years left until the promised period.

Having made significant contributions in many battles, people began to rally around Murad, considering him the next Padishah.

“Even if it’s true, aren’t you being a bit too direct?”

“Isn’t it something everyone already knows? There’s no reason to hide it.”

While not wrong, speaking so bluntly showcased Murad’s character.

Yusuf couldn’t help but smile at the unchanged aspect of him from childhood.

“Well then. Since you already know why I’ve called you, let’s get to the main point. Your task is to prevent African slaves from flowing into Europe.”

“Stopping the slave trade? Is that an important task?”

“At least it’s a necessary one.”

This isn’t a policy taken out of pity for Africans.

Selling Africans as slaves on the same continent is different from the colonial period when Europeans kidnapped and sold them.

Notably, it’s nothing extraordinary considering the era of serfs and prisoners being sold as slaves.

“The issue is that if cheap African slaves begin to flow into South America, it won’t bode well for the empire in the long run.”

The Atlantic slave trade flourished not because slaves were sold at high prices but because the sugarcane plantations made astronomical profits from the cheaply brought-in slaves.

“Carlos and Portugal are pushing hard for the New World exploration. They probably deemed it unfeasible to expand east after the last war’s defeat.”

“Meaning their only hope lies in the New World.”

“Exactly. Fortunately for them, there wasn’t much damage to the fleet from the last war.”

During the Roman siege, they waited for enemies who never came, thus suffered little damage by the time the war concluded.

“They chose the New World as a way to recover from past losses, and many ships are headed there. The more they hasten New World exploration, the more people they will need.”

“They’ll try to fill that shortage with slaves.”

“Ordinary subjects wouldn’t head to the New World for colonization. That’s the only option.”

Of course, it could also be done by enslaving the American natives, but through the Pope, they argued that natives are rational beings with culture.

This claim would get reinforced due to the numerous atrocities since Columbus’ massacre.

Formally, slavery was banned in Europe, so if they are recognized as people, they couldn’t be enslaved easily.

“But Africans are different. They aren’t seen as the same kind of people.”

The slaves, bound in the same place on a slave ship for a month during travel, were viewed thoroughly as commodities, not people.

Murad tilted his head at Yusuf’s mission.

“Isn’t North Africa already captured by us, making the slave trade difficult?”

“If they plan to cross into the New World, they don’t even need to go through North Africa.”

In actual history, the Atlantic slave trade occurred between West Africa and America.

Upon hearing Yusuf’s order, Murad smiled.

“Are there any methods you don’t mind using?”

“For example?”

“I’m asking if I can make Africans into subjects of the empire.”

“Do as you please if you wish. But it won’t be easy.”

Though commonly referred to collectively as Africans, they comprised incredibly diverse ethnic groups.

While conquering itself isn’t difficult, uniting them into one to become subjects of the empire is usually a challenging task.

“It would be much easier to make them all slaves.”

Despite Yusuf’s warning, Murad smiled confidently.

“I know better than anyone that it isn’t easy in the empire. And I believe I’m the only person who could make it happen in the empire.”

“Is that arrogance?”

“No, it’s confidence. During my long years in Africa, I haven’t just fought the wars my father commanded.”

Murad’s interest in Africa was already known.

Even when he completed all his tasks in Rome, he left everything to Mehmet and returned once again to Africa.

“Alright then. If you can do it, give it a try. I will offer support as much as you need.”

“Can I trust that?”

“There are no falsehoods to the ruler of the empire, and the empire is wealthy. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Then I will proceed with confidence.”

Having answered that, Murad stood up.

“Then I will take my leave now. Time is tight.”

As Murad made his exit, Yusuf shook his head.

Seeing Murad return to Africa the moment he arrived in the capital, it was just like him.

Having shifted his gaze from the closed audience chamber door, Yusuf looked down at the map laid out on the table along with four chess pieces.

“All four pieces are positioned.”

To be blunt, the title of prince in the Ottoman Empire held little value.

In terms of the potential substitutes available, its worth came closer to that of a pawn.

“But there are times when its value rises. That is during the succession period.”

The princes would be able to rely heavily on the support of those backing them, akin to how four pawns moving together could promote to a queen.

In the remaining eight years, the empire would become all the more fortified.

*

When the ships set to return from the New World went missing, initially, it was thought they had unfortunately encountered a storm and capsized.

That was the case until the number of missing ships began to rise dramatically.

After many gold and silver treasures vanished along with the missing ships, Charles V could hardly believe his ears.

“Say that again.”

“It seems the Barbary Pirates have established themselves in the New World.”

“Why are those bastards even there! You little brats!”

Upon hearing the news of the dreadful pirates establishing themselves in the New World, Charles felt a surge of anger.